Okay, so I usually don’t like to compare musicians to each other. You’ll never hear me put Britney and Christina on the same playing field. I see every artist as an individual with something different to bring to the table with their own unique talents.

BUT as far as the next comparison I’m about to make, I think this is nothing but a compliment.

We’ve quite possibly found the next Carrie Underwood… or dare I say… Taylor Swift.

Two of my favorite songs by these artists are vengeful anthems about cheating boyfriends: Before He Cheats and Should’ve Said No. I love these songs so much that I’ve (terribly) sung both of them in public at karaoke bars. Thankfully, no video evidence exists.

Please allow me the sidebar to share my favorite live performance of Should’ve Said No that Taylor Swift performed at the ACM Awards in 2008. If you don’t have the attention span to watch the full performance, fast forward to 3:10.

But 18-year-old Gabby Barrett has dropped a savage song of her own with a similar message called “I Hope.” And I promise it is on Carrie and Taylor’s level.

If you’ve never heard the song before, it starts off sounding warm and good-natured. She seems to be sending her ex well-wishes in his new relationship with lyrics like:

I hope you both feel the sparks by the end of the driveI hope you know she’s the one by the end of the nightI hope you never ever felt more free, tell your friends that you’re so happy

And then it takes a turn that had be turning up the volume. Listen for yourself.

American Idol – The Start for Carrie Underwood and Gabby Barrett

I don’t know much about Gabby Barrett, but I learned she has something in common with Carrie Underwood. She was on American Idol. In her 2018 audition tape, she says Carrie Underwood is her inspiration and Katy Perry says, “Well, maybe you’re the next one.” Katy also says that Gabby sounds a bit like Demi Lovato, which I can definitely hear.

Gabby Barrett ended up finishing third during her season, but I don’t think that will stop her from having incredible success. I’m obsessed with “I Hope,” but she clearly has incredible vocal range and originality demonstrated in another hopeful song — “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack.

I have a feeling this is just the beginning of Gabby’s career in music.